Does anyone know of grants you can apply for to help out with the cost of a pond?? I have heard of farmers getting money for ponds from wildlife agencies. Is this is a state run or federal program? If anyone has any knowledge of this please post. A pond does have a big impact on conservation.

Mike,In my area, the NRCS div of USDA is the main source of information and potential funding for water projects. They will know what and who to contact. There is a much higher interest in wetland projects (in layman's terms, 48" max water depth). 10 years ago, ponds were higher on their priority list...not so today. The interest seems to be adjusted based on decree from one state to the next. In Illinois, the NRCS offices I talked with (half dozen or so during property search) all were super accommodating at assistance and promised handling all the engineering aspects as long as it stayed below 50 Ac Ft of containment. They would not, tho, cost share the actual construction costs. Years ago, they did (word is that this may have changed recently...I have no personal experience to confirm). Once you cross the border into a neighboring state, it seems to be a new set of rules.I must add, tho, that there are many habitat and soil conservation programs available that do provide cost share and even annual payments over a contract period. Once again, your best start is going to be with your NRCS office. In my case, our project is small...their WHIP program will be utilized (Wildife Habitat Incentive Program). My NRCS officer started the ball rolling, ultimately getting the State DNR wildlife bioligist involved. I then discovered that the DNR can and will also provide funding. My point: I started with good help from the NRCS office.(EDIT; this is the link I use for my area of the USDA: USDA N.E. ...good luck and don't get lost )

Mike, There are programs other than farming conservation programs that are available now. They are wetland, wildlife, and conservation easement programs for anybody owning rural land if it qualifies. There are different programs available. One is a Permanent conservation easement agreement were as your property is deed ristricted and will all always remain as is with no futher developement allowed. You still own and have full rights to your land but it has a Permanent deed ristriction placed on it. The Gov will pay you Ag value for the property that you place in this agreement and also pay 100% of the cost of restoration, ponds wetlands, trees etc... There are also temporary easement agreements I believe 10 and 30 year programs. Here is one link to some of the programs. http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/pfw/r6pfw8b1.htm#Conservation%20Easements

_________________________The road goes on forever and the party nevers end...............................................

Eligibility: Any landowner (individual, tribe or operator in irrigation district) in an approved project area whose land or activity contributes to the water problem and who has an approved water quality plan may enter into an RCWP contract.

Thanks....that will give me some reading to do !! I have alot of deer and wild turkeys that come to my pond for water. Not to mention the ducks and geese that migrate through. And then there are the sandhill cranes, the bull frogs, the tiger salamanders and all the other living creatures that hang out there. A pond brings alot of life, more than a non pond owner realizes !!!